CONCERNS are growing that children across Flintshire could be left without playschemes this summer.

More than a third of children in the county used their local playscheme last year.

But unless an under-threat grant from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is continued the summertime initiatives may be under threat.

Flintshire county councillor Carol Ellis said it would be a ‘great shame’ if the service was lost.

“When things are funded by the Assembly there is a lack of continuation,” she said.

“Playschemes are more valuable than ever, and I hope that we don’t lose them.

“Children learn through play and playschemes are a real benefit to the community.”

Flintshire County Council says it will have to evaluate whether and how to deliver a playscheme programme in 2011 if there is no Assembly cash made available.

Last year a total of 1,725 two-hour play sessions were held across the county over five weeks, with 4,521 children registered to attend.

An average of 1,077 children attended a playscheme across Flintshire each day.

Sixty-four children with disabilities were registered with the associated ‘Buddy’ scheme and attended playschemes with additional one-to-one support. The schemes were run by 112 play workers.

The majority of the funding which allows the council – in partnership with town and community authorities – to run the playschemes comes from WAG’s Cymorth funding pot.

Mike Hornby, head of leisure services at County Hall, said: “Flintshire County Council wrote to all town and community councils recently explaining that it expected to be able to run playschemes this summer, but that it was not in a position to confirm the situation until the Welsh Assembly Government confirms the continuation of Cymorth funding, which provides the essential training and support required by all the playschemes.”

Yesterday (Wednesday) A WAG spokesperson said: “Local authorities were given their indicative Cymorth budgets in December and asked to begin planning their Cymorth-funded activity in 2011-12 based on these funding levels.

“They submitted their plans in January and these are currently being considered.

“The final Welsh Assembly Government budget was approved on Tuesday (February 8) and, in the light of that, notification of final allocations will be issued shortly.”